Aloe Species

Spectacular foliage (pink/blue/red in the sun) and very nice yellow flowers in winter (not conical... the species name refers to a pine ...Read Morecone, which the inflorescence somewhat resembles in stretched out form). Flowers have a sweet smell. Fruit is squeezed in between bracts and not evident on casual inspection.

This species doesn't thrive in excessive heat like that experienced in the Phoenix area during the summer. It seems these higher elevatio...Read Moren Malagasy Aloes (inexpectata, droseroides, pronkii, conifera, madecassa, capitata var. cipolinicola, cryptoflora, etc.) suffer "heat rot" when the temperatures are consistently at, near or above 110 degrees. They're used to cooler temperatures in their native habitat and tend to fail after a few years unless kept indoors or in a greenhouse with a cooling system in Phoenix.

I have seen a steady, if not, rapid growth rate from the two that I planted in February. Coniferas have one of the deepest shades of blue...Read More of any aloe that I am familiar with. They actually do form stems. My taller with about 10 inches and the other with 6. They truly remind me of a dwarf tree aloe in their habit. I mail ordered two more from the Institute for Aloe Studies, a wonderful resource, and was very pleased with the size of the plants. Their small stature and uniquely shaped bloom should make them a valued addition in any garden.

This is a wonderfully attractive deep turquoise small stemless nonsuckering species with tight, corn-cob-shaped bright yellow flowers in ...Read Morewinter. Great for smaller gardens- tolerates shade as well as full sun. Quite slow growing. Has sparse tubercles on leaves. Looks a LOT like A betsileensis (but tends to be darker blue in my limited experience). Is quite tolerant of frost, having no problems with temps into the mid 20s in southern California... outstanding for a Madagascan species, though it is a high elevation plant, there.